Headlight.



'No. 721,647. PATENTED FEB. 24, 1903.

' J. KIRBY', JR.

HEADLIGHT.

AIfPLIOATIOH FILED MAY 5 R0 M 0 D B L I v 8 B H E B T s s H B E T 1.

Inventur.

PATENTED FEB. 24, 1903.

J. KIRBY, JR-

HEADLIGHT. v APPLIGATION FILED MAY 5,1902.

I0 MODEL.

3 SHEETS-SHBET 3.

.1 Iii-551. 5 n I UNITED STAT-Es PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN KIRBY, JR.,.OF DAYTON, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO UNITED STATES HEAD- LIGHT COMPANY, OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK, A- CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

HEADLIGHT.

SPEGIFICATIONfoz-ming part of Letters Patent N 0. 721,647, dated February 24, 1903.

Original application filed December 26, 1901, Serial No. 87,238. Divided and this application filed May 5,1902. Serial No. 105,999. lNo model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

.Be it known that I, JOHN KIRBY, J r., aciti zen of the United States, residing in the city of Dayton, county of Montgomery, and State of Ohio, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Headlights; and I do hereby declare the following to be a clear,

full, and exact description of the, invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to [O whichit appertains to make and use the same,

reference being had to the accompanying The objects of my present invention are,.

first,to provide improved means for attaching the headlight to the dashboard of a railway-car or other vehicle, whereby the headlight will be securely held in position thereon without 0 projection beyond the front side thereof; second, to provide improved means whereby the headlight can be quickly secured in position or removed therefrom; third, to so improve upon the general construction of headlights adapted to be mounted in or opposite a hole or opening in the dashboard that access can be'had to the interior thereof for the purpose of manipulating the lamp or cleaning the reflector from the back of the headlight; fourth, 40 to provide means of access to the'back of the headlight from the front of the dashboard through an opening therein for convenience in adjusting the lamp and otherwise manipulating the headlight, and, fifth, to so com- 5 bine the aforesaid objects as that they shall be adapted to'various types of headlights, the 'said objects being'accomplished by new and novel combinations which will be hereinafter fully described and claimed and which are clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof, andiin which- Figure 1 represents a rear view of the dashboard of a railway-car with myimproved headlight monnted thereon; Fig. 2,.a vertical section through the center of the headlight and dashboard; Fig. 3,2. horizontal section through the center line of the headlight and dashboard, the backdoor of the case being shown partly-open; Fig. 4, a front perspective broken view of the headlight removed from the dashboard; Fig. 5, a broken perspective view of the glass-holder; Fig. 6, a rear perspective view ofa portion of the glass-holder and front projecting ring of the case, showing one of .the clips for holding the glass in position and also the manner in which the glass-holder is secured within the front projecting. ring; and 7 Figs. 7 and 8, modifications in the manner of attaching the headlightto the dashboard.

For the purpose of illustrating my present invention I have selected aheadlightin which eleotricity is employed as an illuminant, the lamp being of the incandescent type, while the adaptation of the invention to lamps of the electric-arc type is shown and described in the said application Serial No. 87,238. It will be apparent, however, that certain features of the invention are also applicable to headlights in which gas or oil is used for illumination.

In the drawings similar letters and figures. of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout. 1

.A represents a portion of, the dashboard in which there is formed an opening which in size approximates that of the open front of the headlight. B represents a collar surrounding the said opening on the outside of the dashboard, and O a dash-ring surrounding the opening on the inside thereof. The 0 collar B and the dash-ring 'C are each provided with holes which register with corresponding holes in the dashboard to receive bolts 2, by which they are clamped to the dashboard, as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 2. 5 The dash-ring O is provided with a horizontally-disposed flange or rim 3, which extends rearwardly from the dashboard and which is also preferably made to extend through the said opening and out beyond the collar 13, thus contributing stiffness to the ring and forming a finish around the opening.

D represents the headlight-case, which is formed with an open front and an opening in the back thereof and preferably cast in a single piece of any suitable material to the form shown, there being formed thereon a front projecting ring 1, adapted to engage the dashring 0 and stop against a shoulder 5,.formed on the inside thereof, preferably in line with the inside of the dashboard, the case being secured in such position by rotatable fasteners 6, attached to the dash-ring O and adapted to engage behind a shoulder 7 on the body of the case. Thus when it is desired to remove the headlight the said fasteners are swung to the positions shown by dotted lines in Fig. 1, when it will be free to be removed for placement in another car or for any other purpose desired without the necessity of removing the bolts 2, collar B, and dash-ring C. It will be apparent, however, that the dash-ring C may be formed upon or integral with the body of the case, in which event it would be necessary to remove the bolts in order to free the headlight from its mountings, such construction being shown in Fig. 8.

\Vhen a headlight is mounted upon the dashboard of a railway-car in such manner that the lamp thereof is in the rear of the dashboard, it is desirable, as matters of convenience and economy, that certain parts of the lamp mechanism be accessible from both the front and rear of the dashboard without disturbing the glass-holder or removing the headlight, and in order to obtain access to the adjusting parts of the lamp from in front of the dashboard I provide an armhole A, Fig. 2, through the latter, whereby the lamp can be manipulated from in front of the dashboard, as will presently appear, and in the performance of which act the operator can see into the open front of the headlight to adjust the lamp to its proper position with relation to the focal'point of the reflector, provision for obtaining access to the interior of which from the back of the headlight will be hereinafter explained. To form a finish to the said armhole, as well as to stiffen the structure, the collar B and dash-ring O are each provided with continuations S and 9, which extend around the armhole, and on the outside, preferably, is hinged a door E for closing the opening, which is a trifle smaller than the door, thus forming a jamb for the latter to close agains the door being fastened by a latch 10.

Within the case D there is located a paraholically-formed reflector F, provided with an outwardly-turned flange 11, by which it may be secured in place in the usual manner. The back of this reflector is cut away, and it is therefore open at both ends, as more clearly shown in Fig. 3, the parabola being completed by an auxiliary reflector G, secured to a door H, hinged to the body of the case and forming the backthereof in the manner shown, or

it may be secured in any other manner which will effectually accomplish its purpose, although in practice I have found the simpler and more efficient plan of mounting this auxiliary reflector to be to attach it to the door, as shown, whereby when the latter is opened the former will be carried with it, and the opening in the back of the main reflector will then be exposed for the purpose of cleaning the reflector, replacing, or otherwise manipulating the lamp from the back of the headlight. The normal relative positions of the two reflectors will be established when the said door is closed, an opening 12 being provided for the passage of a lamp-socket I into the reflector. It will be apparent, however, that a single reflector located behind the lamp may in some cases be employed in lieu of the two reflectors just described.

In the wall of the case and by preference integral therewith, opposite the focal point of the reflector, there is formed a hollow sleeve J,which supports a vertically-movable socketholder K, adapted to carry at its upper end the said lamp-socket, which supports an incandescent lamp L. A thumb or setscrew 13 serves to hold the said socket-holder in position in the said hollow sleeve, and the same can be operated from the front side of the dashboard through the said armhole to adjust the lamp to the focal point of the reflector.

The inside of the front ring 4 of the case is provided with a circumferential groove 14, into which lateral channels 15 lead from its outer edge. A glass-holder N is held within the said ring 4, being secured therein by means of lugs 16 and 17, projecting from its outer horizontal surface and adapted to enter the channels 15, whereupon by turning the glass-holder they will engage the groove 14 and retain the holder within the said projecting ring of the case, from whence it can be withdrawn only upon turning it back to the position where the said lugs register with the said channels. instead of the groove 14 extending around the ring, as above described, a single short groove may extend from each of the channels in either direction; but as a convenience of manufacturel prefer the construction shown and in which at a suitable distance from the said channels is provided a stop 18, against which one of the lugs will strike, and further forward movement of the holder will be thereby arrested, the holder being prevented from undue reverse movement and possible displacement by a spring 19, one end of which is secured to and on the under side of the outer horizontal member 20 of the glass-holder, the opposite end having a projecting pin 21 with beveled end and operative through the lug 17, the beveled end of the pin engaginga perforation 22 in the ring 4 of the case, as more clearly shown in Fig. (3. Thus the pressure of the spring must be overcome before the holder IIO It is obvious, however, that l can be released, andwhile this is easily accomplished by the .hand of an operator the pressure of the spring is suflicient to prevent any jarring motion, to which headlights in glass-holder opposite the intermediate mem ber 23 is an outwardly-projecting ring or col-- lar29, .which encircles a glass disk-O, held therein by several clips 30, one end of each of which is secured-to a post P by screws 31, the holder being also provided with-fingerpieces Q for convenience in handling.

It is obvious that the details of construction as herein described may be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of my invention. Therefore I do not Wish to limit myinvention to such exact construction.

Having thus fully described my invention,

1. The combination with the dashboard of a railway-car having an opening therein, of a dash-ring secured to the dashboard around the said opening provided with a rearwardlyextending horizontally-disposed rim,a headlight case having a front projecting ring adapted to engage the said rim from the rear ofthe dashboard, and means whereby the case is-secured therein.

2. The combinationwith the dashboard of a railway-car having an opening thereinj-of a dash-ring secured to the dashboard around the said opening provided with a rearwardlyextending horizontally-disposed rim, aheadlight-oase having a front projecting ringadapted to engage the said rim from the rear of the dashboard, and means whereby thecase is detachably secured therein.

3. The combination with the dashboard of a. railway-car having an opening therein, of adash-ring secured to the dashboard on the inside thereof around the said opening and having a horizontally disposed rim projecting through and beyond the front and rear of the dashboard, a headlight-case having a front projecting ring adapted to engage the said rim from the rear of the dashboard, and means whereby the case is secured therein wholly in a the rear of the front side of the dashboard.

4. The combination with the dashboard of a railway-car having an opening therein, of a dash-ring secured to the dashboard on the inside thereof around the said opening and having a horizontally-disposed rim projecting through and beyond the front and rear of the dashboard, a headlight-case having a front projecting ring adapted to engage the said rim from the rear of the dashboard, and means whereby the case is detachably secured there:

6. The combination with the dashboard of railway-car having an opening therein, of a dash-ring secured to the dashboard on the inside thereof around the said opening provided with a rearward! y-extendin g horizontally-disposed rim, a collar secured to the dashboard ing, a headlight-case having a front project'- ing ring adapted to engage the said rim from the rear of the dashboard, and means whereby the case is detachably secured therein.

7. The combination with the dashboard of a railway-car having an opening therein, of a dash-ring secured to the dashboard on the inside thereof around the said opening provided witharearwardly-extendinghorizontally-dis I on the outside thereof around thesaid openposed rim, a collar secured to the dashboard on the outside thereof around the said open.-

ing, a headlight-case having a front projecting ring adapted to engage the said rim from the rear of the dashboard, a glass-holdercarried by the said ring on the inside and substantially flush with the face thereof, and means whereby the case is secured therein.

8. The combination with the dashboard of a railway-car having an opening therein, of a dash-ring secured to the dashboard on the inside thereof around the said opening provided with a rearwardly-extending horizontally-disposed rim, a collar secured to the dashboard on the outside thereof around the said opening, a headlight-case having a front projecting ring adapted to engage the said rim from the rear of the dashboard, a glass-holder carried by the said ring on the inside and substantially flush with the face thereof, and means whereby the case is detachably secured therein.

9. The combination with the dashboard of a railway-car having an opening therein, of a dash-ring secured to the dashboard on the inside thereof around the said opening, a head light-case separable from and adapted to receive said dash-ring and having a front projecting ring provided with one or more grooves on the inside thereof, channels extending from the face of said ring into said groove or grooves a, glass-holder having lugs adapted to enter said channels and said groove or grooves, and to traverse the latter, and means whereby said lugs are held in place in said 10. The combination with the dashboard of KOO IIQ

inside and substantially flush with the face thereof, and means whereby the case is secured to said dash-ring in the rear of the front side of the dashboard.

11. The combination with the dashboard of a railway-car having an opening therein, of a dash-ring secured to the dashboard on the ina side thereof around the said opening and having a rim projecting through and beyond the front of the dashboard, a headlight-case separable from and adapted to engage said dashring and having a front projecting ring, a glass-holder carried by the said ring on the inside and substantially flush with the face thereof, and means whereby the case is detachably secured to said dash-ring in the rear of the front side of the dashboard.

12. A headlight-case provided with a front projecting ring having one or more grooves on the inside thereof, channels extending from the face of said ring into said groove or grooves, a glass-holder having a rearwardly-proj ecting ring adapted to enter said projecting ring of said case, lugs on said glass-holder adapted to engage said channels and said groove or grooves and to traverse the latter, in combination with the dashboard of a railway-car having an opening therein, a dash-ring secured to the rear side of said dashboard around the said opening and separable from but adapted to receive the said ring of the case, a collar secured to the outside of said dashboard around the said opening, and means for securing the case within the said dashring.

13. A headlight-case provided with a front projecting ring having one or more grooves on the inside thereof, channels extending from the face of said ring into said groove or grooves, a glass-holder having a rearwardly-proj ecting ring adapted to enter the said projecting'ring of the case, lugs on said glass-holder adapted to engage said channels and said groove or grooves and to traverse the latter, in combination with the dashboard of a railway-car having an opening therein, a dash-ringsecured to the rear side of said dashboard around the said opening and separable from but adapted to receive the said ring of the case, a collar secured to the dashboard on the outside thereof around the said opening, and means for detachably securing the case within the said ring.

14. A headlight-case provided with a front projecting ring having one or more grooves on the inside thereof, channels extending from the face of said ring into said groove or grooves, a glass-holder havinga rearwardly-proj ecting ring adapted to engage said projecting ring of the case, lugs on said glass-holder adapted to engage said channels and said groove or grooves and to traverse the latter, in combination with the dashboard of a railway-car having an opening therein, a dash-ring secured to the rear side of said dashboard around the said opening and separable from but adapted to receive the said ring of the case, and means for securing the case therein.

15. A headlight-case provided with a front projecting ring having one or more grooves on the inside thereof,channels extending from the face of said ring into said groove or grooves, a glass-holder having a rearwardly-projecting ring adapted to enter said projecting ring of the case, lugs on said glass-holder adapted to engage said channels and said groove or grooves and to traverse the latter, in combination with the dashboard of a railway'car having an opening therein, a dash-ring secured to the rear side of said dashboard around said opening and separable from but adapted to receive the said ring of the case, and means for detachably securing the case therein.

16. In a headlight, a case having an open front and a front projecting ring, in combination with a glass-holder formed in a single piece carried by said ring and having three horizontal members of difierent diameters united by two vertical members of different diameters, the middle of said horizontal members being provided with a series of air-perforations therethrough.

17. The combination with the dashboard of a railway-car having an opening therein, of an armhole through the dashboard adjacent to said opening, a dash-ring secured to the dashboard around the said opening and extending around the said armhole, a headlightcase carried by the said dash-ring and having an opening in the back thereof, and a door for closing the said opening in the back of the case, whereby access can be had to the interior of the headlight from the front of the dashboard through the said armhole and opening in the back of the case.

18. The combination with the dashboard of a railway-car having an opening therein, of an armhole through the dashboard adjacent to said opening, a dash-ring secured to the dashboard around the said opening and extending around the said armhole, a collar extending around the said opening and around the said armhole secured to the dashboard opposite the said dashq-ing, a headlight-case carried by the said dash-ring and having an opening in the back thereof, and a door for closing the said opening in the back of the case, whereby access can be had to the interior of the headlight from the front of the dashboard through the said armhole and opening in the back of the case.

19. In a headlight, the combination of a case having an open front and an opening in the back of the case, a door for closing the said opening, a hollow sleeve formed in the ICC wall of the case, a socket-holder operative in said hollow sleeve, a socket carried by said holder, a lamp held in said socket, a fastening device for securing the said holder in'said hollow sleeve, a reflector located behind the lamp, and means whereby the said reflector is shifted from its normal position by the opening of said door whereby access to the lamp can be had.

20. The combination with the dashboard of a railway-car, of an opening in the dashboard adapted to receive a headlight, an armhole through the dashboard adjacent to said opening, a dash-ring secured to the dashboard around the said opening and extending around the said armhole, and a headlightcase mounted upon the dashboard in register with said opening.

21. The combination with the dashboard of a railway-cargof an opening in the dashboard adapted to receive a headlight, an armhole r through the dashboard adjacent to said opening, a dashring secured to the dashboard around the said opening and around the said armhole, a collar extending around the said opening and around the said armhole secured to the dashboard opposite the said dashring, and a headlight-case mounted upon the dashboard in register with the said opening.

22. In a headlight, the combination of a case having an .openfront and. an opening in the back of the case provided with a door for closing the said opening, a lamp located Within thecase, a reflector whosenormal position is behind the lamp, and means whereby the reflector can be shifted to permit of access to the lamp from the back of the case.

23. In a headlight, the combination of a case having an open front and an opening in the back of the case provided with a door for closing the said opening,a lamp located Within the case, a reflector whose normal position is behind thelamp, and means whereby the said reflector is shifted from and to its normal position by the openingand closing of the said door. whereby access to the lamp can be had from the back of the case.

24. In a headlight, the combination'of a case having an open frontand an openingin "the back of the case, a main reflector open at both ends secured within the case, a door for I ported in said sleeve, a lamp-socket carried by said socket holder, a lamp supported in said socket, a main reflector open at both ends secured within the case, a' door for closing said opening in the backof the case, an auxiliary reflector located behind said" main reflector and arranged to be readily removed and replaced in position whereby access can be had to the lamp and to the main reflector. 1

through the opening in the rear end thereof.

26. Ina headlight, the combination of a case having an open front and an openingin the back of the case, a main reflector open at both ends secured within. the case, a door for closing the said opening in the back of the case, and an auxiliary reflector located hehind the said main reflector and adapted to substantially close the opening in the rear thereof, the said auxiliary reflector being carried by and arranged said door.

In testimony whereof I hereunto subscribe my name this 2d day of May, 1902. 7

JOHN KIRBY, JR.

to open and close with Witnesses:

N. EMMONS, J r., V J NO. I. UNDERWOOD. 

